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— 4°6 —
retainers according to the custom of the country . His wife appears on the threshold and, full of joy, holds out to him the long awaited son, who has been born during his absence. Twardowski takes him in his arms and shares the general joy; however, unaccountably to the others, his joy soon changes to dismay.
Picture II
The father recalls that during his journey he had been set upon by brigands and that, in order to escape from them, he had invoked the help of the Devil. With the latter's assistance, he had come off safely, but he had had to promise the Devil, in return, the full possession of whatever he should unexpectedly find on his return home. He has just found a new-born son; it is therefore the soul of his own son that he has sold to the Devil.
Picture III
Such are the sad reflections which occupy the father's mind as he and his wife lean over their child's cradle.
PART I
Twardowski s Childhood.
Picture IV
The baby has grown into a young boy of precocious, almost uncanny intelligence. We see him in his room, absorbed in reading a large book, without perceiving the other children playing round him, nor his father who gazes on him, full of sadness.
Picture V
We see young Twardowski wandering around his father's fields. He carefully observes the flowers and plants and the habits of birds and insects. A thunder-storm breaks ; he follows its phases with lively interest, but with no sign of fear. Night falls; he contemplates the stars and tries to trace a path amid their multitude.
Picture VI
Tormented by remorse, the boy's father falls dangerously ill. On his deathbed he confides his secret to the village priest and to his family ; he implores his son scrupulously to avoid everything that might expose him to diabolical influences.
Picture VII
The mother also is now dead. The priest who has hitherto looked after the education of the young man advises him to leave his native village and study at Cracow. We see him depart towards his unknown fate.